Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the previous speaker that we should deal with each pillar as it arises and take questions on that.

On homelessness, I have something similar. The figure mentioned 4,436 adults in emergency accommodation nationally during the survey week. Can that be broken down into the number of housing units? Do we know how many children are involved? On the actions mentioned to alleviate this, I am conscious that the Minister and Minister of State with responsibility in this area have almost staked their reputation on this issue through the commitment they have given both to members and to the public that they will rid us of this horrible statistic by June of this year. Last year, the Department states more than 2,000 were taken out of homelessness and that was a record year. Now the Department states 4,436 will be taken out of homelessness and out of emergency accommodation by June of this year. The Department states that one tool that will be used to eradicate that figure to zero by June is the 1,500 rapid units to be built by the end of 2018. Unfortunately, the Department cannot square that circle. More to the point, we were given a commitment on the delivery of 350 or 500 modular units last year and we got 22 units. Somebody needs to tell the committee what exactly was or is the problem, whether it has been identified and will it be rectified. When Mr. McCarthy and others give commitments to the committee on a regular basis, in this instance that 1,500 units will be delivered by the end of 2018, have the lessons and the failures associated with previous commitments been learned, been owned up to and been rectified?

As I stated to the Minister previously, if it is such that there are legislative issues or logjams, let us know and we will do what we can to rectify the situation. This is an emergency and if emergency legislation is required, members will sit all night to pass it. It appears as though commitments are being made, left, right and centre, as well as launches, strategies and what not, but yet on the ground an obvious lack of urgency can be seen when that cannot be rectified. All of us here are more than willing to help, support and see that the commitments the Department makes are realised but Mr. McCarthy must elaborate on the 4,436 figure and break it down. He needs to elaborate, as the previous speaker stated, on the commitments regarding the 1,500 modular units. Where is the surplus over 22 units that was committed to last year? When can people expect to see results in this area? As far back as two and half years ago, the former Minister, Deputy Kelly, made similar commitments. I am sure the figures are similar to the commitment Deputy Kelly gave at that time and the same figures have been given repeatedly. Rather than taking up much more time, Mr. McCarthy should break down the 4,436 into units, into the children involved and into households. On the 1,500 modular units, what lessons have been learned from the failure last year and how can we be assured that these can be address this time round?